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About this project

All backers (even the ones that only pledge $1) will have a special "B" icon next to their in-game name.

History

My name is Jesse. My co-developer, Charlotte, and I have been working on Pixel for the last two years. It has taken us a while because a lot of our time has been taken up with full-time work and college. We both really feel like Pixel is a great game and would like it to be finished soon. That is where this Kickstarter comes in. We are hoping to get enough money to allow us to work on Pixel full time instead of in our spare time. Our goal is to have Pixel released by July of 2013.

Gameplay

Our main goal with Pixel was to create a platformer/shooter that requires you to think. Gravity manipulation and color theory are a big part of the gameplay and the platforming may start out simple, but it will grow in complexity requiring you to really think about your movements.

As hard as this might sound, we did not want a game that players couldn't finish. You will be able to respawn as many times as you want and the level will remain the same. This means if you were destroyed while fighting a tough enemy, that enemy's health will remain the same so you can continue where you left off. This will cost you in score though.

To help encourage players to play well and explore levels, there will be a leaderboard for each level. Score is based on the amount of resources you've used or freed within a level. Respawning hurts your score and destroying an enemy helps it. Time also hurts your score, but getting to the end of a level as fast as possible won't make up for it. Instead you will need destroy enemies and get bonus points in the level if you want a good score.

Mechanics

As a pixel, you will be able to change your color. You can be a red pixel and find something that adds blue and turns you into a magenta pixel to get past a barrier of the same color. The combat is also color based. If you want to destroy an enemy that is magenta you will have to shoot them with green. This will make them white and turn them into a dead pixel.

You will also be able to change your gravity and the gravity of other entities. You may be moving along the bottom of a level then trigger a gravity change and be moving up a wall and have a different perspective of the level.

Multiplayer

Pixel will have both cooperative and competitive multiplayer. The cooperative multiplayer will let you and your friends play online with each other to complete levels. The competitive multiplayer will involve three teams of pixels fighting against each other to achieve goals. There will also be an online leaderboard for each level.

Level Editor

There is a level editor in Pixel that allows you to easily create a level by just dragging and dropping entities into a world. You can give the level a try, pause it to edit something, then continue where you left off. The editor will also allow more advanced stuff like pathing and AI.

The editor also has a logic system that allows you to connect different logic nodes and make a level as complex as the system allows. The logic nodes contain a variety of things from basic math to game specific stuff like respawning specific entities.

Web Site

Players will be able to upload and download levels through Pixel and the web site. They will also be able to rate and comment on the levels.

Future Plans

Right now Pixel is being developed for Windows, but we are planning on porting it to Linux and consoles.

Risks and challenges

The biggest challenge with Pixel has been finding time to work on it. Charlotte and I both have the skills to work on the game, so time has just been the biggest issue. We would like to release Pixel in July of 2013, but there is always the risk that something may cause a delay.

FAQ

Rewards

Pledge $1 or more

The Bit - You're 7 bits short of a byte but you still want to help. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $8 or more

20 backers
Limited (236 left of 256)

The Byte - Receive a copy of Pixel for only $8! Supplies of this deal are limited because you can only fit so many values in a byte.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $16 or more

4 backers

16 million colors for $16 dollars - Receive a copy of Pixel.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $24 or more

1 backer

The Red-Green-Blue Bundle - Receive THREE copies of Pixel so you and two of your friends can play together.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $32 or more

0 backers

Become Part of the Game - Get your name in the credits along with a single word message*. You will also receive a single copy of Pixel. *Subject to our approval. If we do not approve of the message we will let you know and you can change it to something else. If unacceptable messages are repeatedly submitted, they may be added to a Wall of Shame.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $64 or more

0 backers

Become Part of the Game - Get your name and a 64 character message* in the credits. You will also receive a single copy of Pixel. *Subject to our approval. If we do not approve of the message we will let you know and you can change it to something else. If unacceptable messages are repeatedly submitted, they may be added to a Wall of Shame.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $64 or more

1 backer

The Color Channel - Receive EIGHT copies of Pixel so you and your friends can put together your own 8-bit multiplayer team.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $128 or more

0 backers

Become Part of the Game - Send in any picture* you choose along with a 128 character message* and have both next to your name in the credits. Advertisements are allowed. You will also receive a single copy of Pixel. *Subject to our approval. If we do not approve of the picture or message we will let you know and you can change it to something else. If unacceptable messages are repeatedly submitted, they may be added to a Wall of Shame.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $128 or more

0 backers

The Real World - Receive a special backer t-shirt for Pixel and a copy of the game.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $256 or more

0 backers

Become Part of the Game - Send in a picture* of yourself or anything else you want along with a 256 character message, have both next to your name in the credits, and have a game level made using your image. You will also receive a single copy of Pixel. *Subject to our approval. If we do not approve of the picture or message we will let you know and you can change it to something else. If unacceptable messages are repeatedly submitted, they may be added to a Wall of Shame.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $512 or more

0 backers

Become Part of the Game - Have your name (or the name of your choice)* included as a character name in the game's backstory, get a special thank you for being part of the Pixel story and have a message of your choice* in the credits, and receive a copy of the game and a special backer t-shirt. *Subject to our approval. If we do not approve of the message or name, we will let you know and you can change it to something else. If unacceptable messages are repeatedly submitted, they may be added to a Wall of Shame.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,024 or more

0 backers

The Kibibit - Receive all of the "Become Part of the Game" rewards, plus 8 copies of the game and a special backer t-shirt. You will also receive a special "kb" icon next to your name in-game.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $2,048 or more

0 backers

Presentation - Southeast United States - We will visit your gathering or organization and do a presentation about game development focused mainly on developing a game engine. Includes a limited number of favors and/or copies of the game, and a special thank you to you or your organization in the game's credits. Exact details (such as date, length of presentation, gifts for attendees, etc.) subject to negotiation and cost.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $4,096 or more

0 backers

Presentation - United States of America & Southern Canada (excluding Alaska & Hawaii) - We will visit your gathering or organization and do a presentation about game development focused mainly on developing a game engine. Includes a limited number of favors and/or copies of the game, and a special thank you to you or your organization in the game's credits. Exact details (such as date, length of presentation, gifts for attendees, etc.) subject to negotiation and cost.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $8,192 or more

0 backers

Presentation - International - We will visit you almost anywhere and do a presentation about game development focused mainly on developing a game engine. Includes a limited number of favors and/or copies of the game, and a special thank you to you or your organization in the game's credits. Exact details (such as date, length of presentation, gifts for attendees, etc.) subject to negotiation and cost.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Oct 25, 2012 - Nov 26, 2012
(32 days)

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